NYC Touro professor charged with sexually abusing patient set to teach ‘legal and ethical’ class
A Touro University adjunct professor who was charged with sexually abusing a patient is scheduled to return to the classroom next month and, bizarrely, teach a class on ethics, The Post has learned.
An online schedule of classes listed Menachem “Mendy” Kiwak as the instructor of two fall courses on “Professional, Legal & Ethical Issues in Counseling” — one online and one at an unspecified “offsite” location.
“It’s an absolute travesty,” said a fellow Touro professor. “I am surprised that Touro is allowing him to continue teaching given the nature of the charges.”
Kiwak was charged in May with sexual abuse, harassment and forcible touching.
He pleaded not guilty. He was allowed to finish out the school year, sources said.
The colleague said Touro officials have never addressed the scandal with students or faculty — and suggested that Kiwak is protected by his mother-in-law, Faye Walkenfeld, who chairs the behavioral sciences department in which Kiwak works.
“I have no doubt that if his mother-in-law wasn’t a big shot in the college, he would have been gone by now,” said the prof, who requested anonymity out of fear of retaliation.
A few months before Kiwak’s arrest, the accuser’s advocate informed Walkenfeld of her allegations as well as complaints by female students that he used sex slang and profanity and discussed porn in classes, and once argued there is no such thing as marital rape.
The alleged sex-abuse victim, who had no connection to Touro, first sought private counseling from Kiwak because she was the victim of sexual assault.
She accuses him of coercing her into having sex with him several times.
The Post obtained a recording of Kiwak speaking with the woman and her husband.
At one point, Kiwak seemingly apologizes for the sexual contact.
“I’m sorry that I took advantage and that I’m hurting, that I’ve hurt you. I know you’re angry and that you’re pissed at me. But I promise you, it’s the worst I’ve ever fallen in my life. In my life.”
After The Post’s inquiry to Touro on Friday morning, spokesman Jordan Isenstadt said Kiwak “is not scheduled to work this semester” and remains on “administrative leave.”
However, a check of Touro’s class schedule late Friday showed Kiwak still listed as the instructor of the same online course for 20 students –19 already registered — on Mondays from 5 pm to 7:40.
Asked to clarify whether Kiwak is permitted to work in the upcoming semester and teach online, Isenstadt did not respond.
Kiwak’s lawyer declined to comment.
Kiwak holds a mental health counseling license in New York and a professional counselor license as a marriage and family therapist in New Jersey.
The sexual-abuse victim filed a complaint against Kiwak with the New York State Office of Professional Discipline, which investigates complaints alleging sexual misconduct.
A finding of misconduct can result in disciplinary action, including fines, suspension or license revocation.
